The Packers Air Their Grievances

Receive the latest blue-star updates in your inbox

"And at the Festivus dinner, you gather your family around, and tell them all the ways they have disappointed you over the past year!The tradition of Festivus begins with the Airing of Grievances. I got a lot of problems with you people! And now, you're gonna hear about it."--Frank Costanza, Seinfeld.

Apparently, Festivus came a bit early for the Green Bay Packers this year. Despite a seventh-ranked offense and the fact that quarterback Aaron Rodgers has the fifth best passer rating in the league, the team has seemingly hit a low point over the past two weeks.

First, they were beaten by the Brett Favre-led Vikings at home, after which former Packers' defensive lineman Gilbert Brown had this to offer: "The Vikings have stole our swagger, period. Everybody on that team stole our swagger. Took our quarterback. Took our heart on Lambeau Field. Took our heart in front of millions of fans on TV."

Ouch.

Then, last week, the once mighty Pack were beaten in Tampa Bay, by the 0-7, rookie quarterback Josh Freeman-led Buccaneers, a team who many thought had a real chance at 0-16. Rodgers, on the day, threw three interceptions, and was sacked six times, bringing Green Bay's sacks allowed total to a league-leading 37.

"Coaches were still in the meeting room with the players and veteran leaders on offense took turns addressing the remainder of the squad," the report says. " Every aspect of the teams game was up for critique and that’s exactly what happened. The players said it needed to happen and feel better about the fact that it did."